The superficial recurrent ophthalmic artery: meningeal supply to petrous ridge meningiomas.

The superficial recurrent ophthalmic artery arising from the second portion of the ophthalmic artery is rarely visible angiographically. Described herein is a patient having a recurrent ophthalmic artery which had hypertrophied to a degree sufficient to supply a highly vascularized meningioma of the petrous ridge. Coexistence of marginal tentorial branches, namely the superficial recurrent ophthalmic artery and the meningohypophyseal trunk, is an embryological dilemma. Furthermore, this case demonstrates the capacity of the ophthalmic artery to supply posteriorly situated neoplasms.